Automatic peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract

In the treatment of end stage renal disease, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis has undoubtedly contributed more towards the solution of its inherent problems than any other peritoneal dialysis technique. Despite the validity of the basic idea, there are still many drawbacks, one of which is the high cost of commercial dialysis. While the manual procedure was indeed simple, we have preferred to concentrate our interest on a modern technology, such as that used for hemodialysis not only making possible the inexpensive preparation of peritoneal dialysates, but also avoiding the hazards usually involved in the preparation, sterilization and storing of the filled bags. We have built a machine composed of 4 modular automatic units, which will prepare the dialysate at pH 7 with no trace of methylfurfurol and which will also monitor the peritoneal dialysis procedure permitting a vast variety of schedules. It will also provide for a special schedule for overnight dialysis or simply fill bags as they are needed.